5 Instagram accounts to follow to discover the Arab world

1 – Every Day Middle East

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Across Arab countries around the Persian Gulf for the past half century or so, the attire worn by men is traditionally called a thobe or dishdasha. Each country and region within has a few different details that identify the geography of the floor-length white gown worn by men. In Taif, the Saudi town where this photo is taken, men call this thobe design "mahared." Photo by @tasneemalsultan #taif #saudiarabia #everydayeverywhere #everydaymiddleeast

A post shared by Everyday Middle East (@everydaymiddleeast) on Dec 19, 2019 at 8:25am PST

This Instagram account brings together the work of photographers based in the Middle East. The objective? To unveil to the general public images of daily life in the region and fight against stereotypes. A relaxing moment on Jeddah beach, grouper fishing in Oman or zooming in on traditional outfits from the Persian Gulf, Every Day Middle East makes you travel in a few clicks.

2 – Tasneem Al Sultan

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#wedding #muscat #oman

A post shared by Tasneem Alsultan (@tasneemalsultan) on Dec 14, 2019 at 10:14am PST

Tasneem Al Sultan is a great traveler, journalist, and photographer. She has a curious view of the Middle East and more particularly of her country, Saudi Arabia. While his articles for the New York Times and the National Geographic focus more on social issues, the Instagram account offers more intimate perspectives. This cliché, taken at a wedding in Oman, bears witness to this.

3 – Waastaa

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@damselfrau

A post shared by ✨WAASTAA✨ (@waastaa) on Dec 28, 2019 at 10:46pm PST

A concentration of artistic works from North Africa and the Middle East, the Waastaa account was born with the desire to create a global creative community. An Instagram page that reveals itself like an art gallery, and whose name means “connection” in Arabic. If you are interested in the project, there is also an app available!

4 – Not your typical saudi

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The desert doesn’t just give it to you, the desert makes you search. The desert makes you work for its treasures. The desert makes you look for the oasis. The desert asks you to seek and you will find as much as you want to find. In this vast emptiness, look. Look and it shall appear. An oasis of no time or space, an oasis of dancing possibilities. Once you decide you are tired of being tired, once you decide you have faced the blinding sun, once you have walked up one too many dunes to handle another, sit down. Now look. Your oasis is right over here. Now taste the sweet shade. Now smell the eternal freedom. Welcome. We have been waiting for you when you want us to be waiting for you. (Artwork by @mohbinsalman)

A post shared by @ notyourtypicalsaudi on Dec 11, 2019 at 11:49am PST

Through memes and photographs, Not your typical saudi tells the story of Arab culture with humor. The captions accompanying the posts are thought-provoking, much like a personal development book. A combination of business and pleasure, against a backdrop of arty clichés.

5 – Amina Amoniak

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Eating Foul & Falafel at the syrian district is always a good idea 👌🏼 Thank you @m_h_toon 🙏🏼 #adanalezzetfestivali

A post shared by Amina Amoniak (@amoniak) on Oct 5, 2019 at 7:29am PDT

Freelance artistic director, Amina Amoniak gives an overview of Tunisian life, her work, and her travels. All with a striking aesthetic. Stroll in the alleys of the city of Tozeur, shooting session in the middle of the desert and typical lunch based on falafels, the account is 100% lifestyle. We love it!